Chris McCausland, who lost his sight in his 20s, is the first celebrity to be unveiled for the show’s next series.
Comedian Chris McCausland is joining Strictly Come Dancing this autumn, making him the show’s first ever blind contestant.
“I don’t dance, I haven’t danced, I can’t dance, I can’t see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong?,” joked McCausland, who lost his sight in his 20s.
JLS singer JB Gill was unveiled as the second celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly’s next series.
Gill said he was looking forward to “showing off some new skills” to his fellow bandmates.
Strictly is due to return on BBC One this autumn.
The show has been rocked by celebrities making allegations about their time on the show in recent weeks.
McClausland is a regular face on flagship comedy shows such as Have I Got News for You and QI.
Speaking to ITV’s This Morning on Monday, he said his participation in Strictly was the “worst kept secret” in showbusiness following weeks of newspaper reports.
The national disability charity, Sense, welcomed news that he was joining the show, calling it a “pivotal moment” for disability representation.
JB Gill is one part of the wildly successful boy band JLS, who rose to fame on The X Factor and went on to have hits including Beat Again and Everybody In Love.
The singer said he loved his time dancing in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago.
But speaking on This Morning, he admitted that some of the routines like ballroom dancing were “quite alien” to him.
“So it’s going to be a learning curve for me,” he said.
The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.
More on Strictly Come Dancing:
Amanda Abbington ‘received rape threats’ after StrictlyLaura Whitmore alleges ‘inappropriate behaviour’ on StrictlyBBC boss says sorry over Strictly complaintsStrictly left Paralympian with injuries he’ll ‘never get over’Giovanni insists ‘I’ll be back’ after Strictly accusation‘Frustrating’ and ‘pressurised’: Life inside Strictly rehearsalsGraziano spokesman admits Strictly kick ‘mistake’
Strictly has been at the centre of controversy as claims have emerged about the treatment of some of the celebrities on the show.
The actress Amanda Abbington, who was paired with Giovanni Pernice, has said she found his alleged behaviour “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”.
Pernice’s spokesperson has previously denied any allegations of threatening or abusive behaviour. He will not be returning for the show’s series this year.
TV star Zara McDermott has said she was involved in incidents in the Strictly Come Dancing training room that she now finds “incredibly distressing” to watch back.
A spokesman for her professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, later admitted to BBC News that he had kicked McDermott once in a rehearsal last year.
Di Prima has also left the show.
The BBC has said it will introduce measures to “strengthen welfare and support” on the show, including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during training room rehearsals.
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